Damn it, how will I ever get out of this labyrinth?

[plaguedrat]

He's found a kind of happiness here; Rat doesn't take it for granted. People are...better here than in the West District or No. 6. He's seen them be kind in ways he's never expected. He knows this isn't necessarily an evil or bad place.

But it's still a city that stole him against his will with no way out. It's not something that sits comfortably with him, the restriction, the not knowing. He worries he'll forget that--too caught up in the distractions and pleasures of the city--and give up on himself. It's what drove him to the library today, bringing home books on Darrow's history and cartography. There's got to be something in here that will answer his questions.

If not...who knows.

So he sits on his couch, the books spread open across the coffee table.

Comments

[silenttrainbaby]

Just a few feet from him, Grey's kneeling on the floor, watching his cat worry the ring that had come with the lid on the milk carton. The animal carries it a few feet, drop it, worry it with his paws and the bite it again, carrying it with a low rumble in the back of his throat.

It's endlessly fascinating and makes Grey feel happy.

[plaguedrat]

"Someone's easy to amuse," Rat says, leaning over to rub the cat's head. In the weeks since they've met, Rat's forgotten to pretend indifference to the creature. He teases the cat's nose with the tip of his pencil and steals the milk ring, sliding it across the floor toward Grey.

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey's mouth makes an "O" and he dangles the ring from his finger, almost grinning as the cat dashes for it. He yanks it up and the cat jumps for it.

When the cat jumps again, Grey lets him catch it between his teeth and worry it again.

[plaguedrat]

Rat smiles and lays his pencils and maps aside, scooting over to sit with Grey and watch the cat amuse itself.

"Aisles and aisles of toys in that store and that's what he goes crazy over."

[silenttrainbaby]

But it's simple and happy. As the cat pushes at the ring with his paws, Grey leans over, nudging Rat's shoulder with his, warmthin his eyes.

[plaguedrat]

Rat leans over and nudges back, looping an arm around Grey's shoulders. He breathes in and glances back at the maps and books on the table. None of it makes sense.

[silenttrainbaby]

Following his gaze, Grey looks to the books and back, brows knit in a frown. He touches Rat's face. What is it?

[plaguedrat]

"This city doesn't make any sense," Rat says. "The history books talk about other places, of coming from somewhere else. Except that we can't leave and the people born here don't acknowledge the existence of a world beyond this place."

[silenttrainbaby]

But why does Rat want to leave? It's so much nicer here than where they came from. Plus, the train no longer exists and Gilliam is dead: he has nowhere to go.

Grey shrugs a little, catching Rat's hand to trace his fingers.

[plaguedrat]

Because a wild rat in a cage will always try and find a way out. He doesn't dislike the city, but being trapped makes him nervous.

"It's just weird."

[silenttrainbaby]

Weird? Weird was brussel sprouts. Grey saw those in a restaurant once and didn't understand them.

Raising the hand he holds, he kisses the knuckles.

[plaguedrat]

If Grey ever expresses that to him, Rat will use the only thing he's ever found that improves every vegetable: Hollandaise sauce.

Rat sighs and leans over, kissing the back of Grey's hand.

[silenttrainbaby]

The cat can occupy itself. Grey turns his attentions to Rat and that sigh. He lifts the other boy's chin and gives him a flickered smile. This is a good place isn't it? Clean and safe with lots of food.

[plaguedrat]

It's not a bad place, but he can't just accept and trust something apparently so benevolent.

There was a time when he thought he'd hate being shorter than Grey, but now he sees the advantages. He kisses Grey, giving in to the distraction.

[silenttrainbaby]

The distraction wasn't so much a distraction as a desire that seemed to simmer under Grey's skin all the time. He loved the way Rat's mouth felt, how he tasted. It made him feel warmer, almost liquid in getting closer.

[plaguedrat]

Rat leans forward so that he can cup Grey's jaw, edging him against the wall so that he can deepen the kiss.

[silenttrainbaby]

Rat can taste Grey's near-smile. They can still hear the cat growling as it pounces on the plastic ring. And when the kiss breaks, he runs his fingers through Rat's hair. He doesn't want to leave. He doesn't want Rat to leave. He likes it here. He hopes Rat will, eventually, too.

[plaguedrat]

It's not in his nature to like, to trust without reason. There is much here to like, Rat knows that and he does enjoy parts of the city. In particular, the boy leaning against him. But he just can't accept it without an explanation, living under this dome.

"I just want to know how this place works. Even if I don't want to leave, I don't like that I can't."

[silenttrainbaby]

Perhaps it is that Grey never questioned. On the train there wasn't anything to question. So, he's here now and that is it.

He ducks his head, nipping kisses along Rat's jaw.

[plaguedrat]

Rat tilts his head back, letting himself forget about those concerns for now. Grey is very good at finding the places that make his mind pleasantly hazy.

[silenttrainbaby]

With another smile, Grey stands back, taking Rat's hand and he pulls him toward the bathroom. He's still not terribly keen on baths, but showers, he doesn't mind. He likes Rat's skin, too, when it's warm.

[plaguedrat]

And Rat is very keen on showers with Grey. It allows him to appreciate all of those tattoos.

[silenttrainbaby]

The water started, Grey watches Rat's face as he strips off his shirt and jeans, leaving them to puddle on the floor, exposing himself to his boyfriend's gaze, open and un-self-conscious.

[plaguedrat]

Rat is similarly un-self-conscious, kicking his clothes away and then closing the space between them. Hands on Grey's waist, he steps over the wall of the tub, tugging him in.

[silenttrainbaby]

The water is warm enough to make Grey shiver. He pulls Rat under the spray and closes his eyes, head tilted back to feel the water sluice down his body, hands firmly on Rat's hips.